England have been hit by the news Courtney Lawes and Nathan Hughes both require knee surgery and are facing several months on the sidelines.
A RFU statement confirmed that Wasps number eight Hughes is facing 12 weeks out with ligament damage suffered in the 22-16 Six Nations defeat to France in Paris last Saturday, while Northampton Saints ace Lawes faces a couple of weeks longer out having suffered a similar problem in the same game.
England head coach Eddie Jones has responded by bringing in Exeter Chiefs back-rower Don Armand for Lawes and Hughes for the final match of the Six Nations season at home to Ireland.
The Red Rose are 21/20 to win with bet365 as they look to prevent their opponents from winning the Grand Slam for the first time since 2009.